India, July 15 -- A day after Sambhaji Brigade state president Pravin Gaikwad's face was smeared with black ink during an event in Solapur's Akkalkot, the outfit warned of retaliation and alleged political backing behind the attack. The incident has triggered sharp reactions from some organisations and political parties in opposition.

Activists from the Shivdharma Foundation, which has objected to the name 'Sambhaji Brigade' for its singular reference to Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj, allegedly carried out the attack. The group was reportedly led by BJP worker and Hindutva activist Deepak Sitaram Kate, who demanded that the outfit be renamed as Dharmaveer Chhatrapati Sambhaji Maharaj Brigade.

"This was not a spontaneous act. It appears t...